Get a Life

Most people who come to Starbucks know exactly what they want. Usually it's fairly straightforward. Caramel frapaccino. Sugar-free vanilla nonfat latte. Quad-shot espresso. But sometimes it's complicated. Ridiculously complicated. The most ridiculous so far? Tall, decaf, nonfat, peppermint mocha, four pumps peppermint, two pumps mocha, foam, no whip, 165 degrees and stirred well. Really. The woman who ordered it was a serious soul who intoned each direction with a grim face and an air of weariness. When I'd finally scribbled it all on her tiny tall cup, she shot me a warning glance and sighed. "No one ever gets it right," she said, obviously not expecting any better performance from me and my colleagues. Gee, I thought, wonder why?